Ask for Wisdom and You Will Receive

“ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.

Though it costs all you have, get understanding.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will set a garland of grace on your head

and present you with a crown of splendor. ”

Proverbs 4:6-9

In 1 Kings chapter 2, King David passed away and his son, Solomon, was placed on the throne of Israel. In the following chapter, the Lord appeared to Solomon one night in a dream and said, “ Ask for whatever you want me to give to you .” Solomon considered himself as “ only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties .” He chose to ask the Lord for a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong. Since the Lord was pleased with Solomon’s response, He gave him a wise and discerning heart. Moreover, the Lord blessed him with riches and honor, because Solomon did not ask for anything that was self-seeking. 

The Lord gave Solomon wisdom that no one before him ever had, nor anyone after him. That is why Solomon is identified as the wisest man who ever lived. Wisdom was Solomon’s request and it should be the request of everyone; we need to ask God for wisdom in our lives. Fortunately, the Bible says that God will give wisdom to the one who asks. In James 1:5 it says, “ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ” 

The book of Proverbs is written by King Solomon. In chapter 4, he writes about his father, David teaching him as a young boy the value of wisdom. There is much wisdom to be found throughout the Bible, especially in Proverbs. Here are some wise ways to live your life, found in Proverbs chapter 4:

• Stay along straight paths (Pro. 4:11)

• Hold on to instruction, don’t let it go (Pro. 4:13)

• Avoid evil (Pro. 4:14-15)

• Keep God’s word within the heart (Pro. 4:20-21)

• Guard the heart (Pro. 4:23)

• Speak what is pure (Pro. 4:24)

• Look forward and take only firm paths (Pro. 4:25)

There is a great need for more wisdom in this world. Wisdom can give us the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, but we must choose to avoid the wrong and do what is right. We should not ignore what we know is right and do whatever we want, instead, we should always do what is right. 

With wisdom, we think before we act. Wisdom is only effective when it is put it into action. James 1:22-23 states “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like .” Therefore, not only should we know the wisdom in God’s Word, we need to obey God’s Word. The more we choose to act on wisdom in our lives, the wiser we will live.

Living a wise life affects us in positive ways! When we grow in our relationship with God and follow the instructions of the Lord, our lives shine like the light of day. (Proverbs 4:18, NIV) 

Storing moral instruction within our hearts can give health to our whole body. (Proverbs 4:22, NIV) 

Ultimately, wisdom leads our lives to the path of righteousness, which is the path that God has called us to go. The consequence of wisdom is righteousness. 

God can give us wisdom, but it is our choice to choose to act on the wisdom that we receive from Him. Wisdom leads us to the path of righteousness that shines ever “ brighter till the full light of day ,” like it says in Proverbs 4:18. Let us put wisdom into action, so we don't swerve to the right or the left. Let’s go in the way of wisdom to keep our feet on the path of righteousness!